Happy Thursday!
Well, the Panama Canal Authority
released another announcement which is pretty big, so we thought we should let
you know! In line with their
announcements back in April, (check out Blog for details) ACP released some
good news on May 30, 2024, for those using the Panama Canal.
Did anyone happen to read gCaptain’s
Website we received a notification on May 30, 2024, their article titled, “Panama
Canal Increases Maximum Draft Ahead of Schedule”? The article speaks in regard to the Panama
Canal Authority (ACP) is loosening some restrictions ahead of schedule increasing
its maximum draft and number of vessels by June 1st or sooner. The Panama Canal’s Neopanamax locks have raised
their draft to 45 feet over two weeks early which means they are hopeful in the
amount of rain coming to the region with La Niña, and their water
reduction strategies are paying off. June
1st they are increasing the number of vessels coming through the locks
to 32 with the Neopanamax increasing by 1.
The Panamax locks increased its number of vessels which passed through
the canal in mid-May to 24 up from 17. Lakes
Gatun and Alhajuela as of May 30 are around 3/4 or 0.758-inch higher than a
year ago with the rainy season about to begin.
As
we said this is good news for the shipping industry, and it is wonderful
to hear the ACP is watching the weather and its watershed to make adjustments
in real-time for the users of this important waterway. If you would like to read more of gCaptain’s
article, please click the link: Panama Canal Increases Maximum Draft Ahead of Schedule (gcaptain.com).
We are praying for heavy rains
from La
Niña to start soon for the region, so the shipping industry to get back to normal!
If you would
like more information about these changes and to schedule, please click here
for the Panama Canal Authorities website: Home - Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (pancanal.com).
If you would
like help in looking into how to update your terminal and its docks, contact us
via email in the blog and check out our ESC's website for contact
information!
We hope you have a wonderful evening, and a great rest of
your week!
**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the gCaptain’s
article. **